Tag: World Series

Posted on in MLB

The Best MLB Storylines After All-Star Break

The MLB has been the center of attention in terms of sports to watch now that the Cleveland Cavaliers have brought an NBA championship to The Land, and with All-Star Break over and the season back in swing, here are my predictions for what will happen after the break.

How Legit Are the Orioles?

Let’s get serious now about something, their pitching stinks outside of Chris Tillman. I mean SPs Kevin Gausman and Ubaldo Jimenez were supposed to be huge this year, but it hasn’t happened. However, they are one of the best hitting teams in the MLB, led by 3B Manny Machado and RF Mark Trumbo, and their fielding has been bailing out their pitchers quite a bit. I will be very concerned in the playoffs if the pitching does not improve by then, but they can light up the scoreboard for sure, and that can make them a threat to teams like the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians (the top 2 seeds in the AL).  Also, if they can get a high seed, they could coast their way to the World Series (33 wins at home).

The Case for Texas and Cleveland

Yes, I am talking about the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians. If the Indians were to win the World Series, then Cleveland may as well just become the new Paris (except unlike the 2016 France Soccer team, Cleveland has a championship). The Rangers were off to a hot start to the year, but in their last 10 games, they have gone 3-7 overall, and only have a +16 run differential. Cleveland has a +81 run differential, and Baltimore, whom we mentioned earlier as a threat to these teams, had a +41 run differential. Texas hasn’t produced much, scoring 41 runs in their last 10 games, and allowing 94. If this keeps up, Baltimore and Cleveland will fight ‘til the end for the top seed in the AL.

What About Dem Cubbies?

The Chicago Cubs just could not seem to find their mark in June. Their pitching, including SP Jake Arrieta, who was supposed to be the best in the biz, has been on a downfall lately, and the team is starting to get a bit overconfident. Manager Joe Maddon has to do a better job of mixing it up and keeping the team intact. They do not want to turn out like the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors in the NBA, blowing a 3-1 series lead to the Cavaliers, and losing in 7. If they get to the World Series, they better not perform like that.

Do the Washington Nationals Have a Clear Path to the World Series?

The Washington Nationals seem to be having a very clear path in the NL right now because no team is overly good right now besides the Nats. The Cubs are disappearing, the Giants are inconsistent, the Mets look like the best team in the league, and then the worst. I mean the NL has turned into a roller-coaster with too many twists, turns, and drops, and it is making baseball fans sick. The Nationals have been so good across the board, with guys like infielder Daniel Murphy, C Wilson Ramos, OFs Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth, and SPs Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer playing on top of their game, that they seem so dominant, and yet their record doesn’t say so. If they keep playing like they have, though, it’ll be smooth sailing for the Nats.

Who Will Be the Wild Card Teams for Each League?

Right now, in the AL, the Wild Card spots belong to the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays. In the NL, the spots belong to the LA Dodgers and NY Mets (Mets hold tiebreaker over Miami Marlins). I think that the Dodgers will make it in as a Wild Card team for the NL. As far as the 2nd Wild Card spot in the NL, I think that the Marlins have been so good of late, and OF Giancarlo Stanton’s confidence is through the roof after his historic All-Star Break (he hit 61 HRs in the Home Run Derby to be crowned Derby champion), and that will propel Miami to the playoffs for the first time in 12 years (they won the World Series in ’03). For the AL, I don’t think any teams are going competitive enough to prevent either Boston or Toronto from being Wild Card teams.

Front-Runners for MVPs?

For the AL, I would have to say it will be neck-and-neck between Mark Trumbo and Jose Altuve. Their stats are so similar, but I think that Altuve’s improvement from a fantastic 2015 campaign gives him the AL MVP. For the NL, it’s Kris Bryant, Bryce Harper, and Giancarlo Stanton. I think that Harper gets the edge due to how he has played as of late.

Posted on in MLB, World Series

My MLB World Series Predictions

Now, the Washington Nationals were stunned in Game 5 by the St. Louis Cardinals, the comeback kids. The NY Yankees dreams have been shattered after Derek Jeter went down with an ankle injury and is expected to miss the rest of the postseason. Now, it’s Yanks vs. Tigers, and Cardinals vs. Giants. Here are my predictions for who will win the World Series.

Yankees vs. Tigers

In this situation where you’re down a game and DJ3K is out, you have to panic. He is noted as out for rest of the postseason, so Robby (Robinson) Cano and Alex Rodriguez will have to step up. Hiroki Kuroda, CC Sabathia, and the rest of the bullpen will have to step up late in the game. Josè Valverdè struggled to close the game out in the 9th, and the game was tied at 2 going into the 10th. David Smyly got it done in the 11th and 12th, and Delmon Young’s double made it a 4-2 lead. I expect Miguel Cabrera and Co. to take advantage of Jeter’s absence, as the Tigers cruise into the World Series to sweep NY.

Cardinals vs. Giants

Throughout the DS vs. Nationals, they had outscored the Nats 23-9 thanks to the monster batting game. Carpenter should ease out Game 1 against a Giants batting crew that struggles. Melky Cabrera and Buster Posey have had to ride the whole team on their backs because the team has been struggling all postseason. I expect this to be a big series, though I think Matt Cain and Co. will be able to win and make it to the World Series for the 2nd time in 4 years.

Tigers vs. Giants

The World Series will be decided by who can win the batting battle. Both teams have young, talented batters, and so this series will be one of the best we’ve ever seen in the history of baseball. The Tigers will win in a tough and hard-nosed 7 games. Miguel Cabrera will win the World Series MVP Award.